St. James Lutheran Church

St. James Lutheran Church All are welcome to come worship with us at 10:30 AM on Sundays. Come early for coffee and fellowship St.

As part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, our congregation has served the Rockwell area since 1907, ministering to its members and the community. James confesses the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, and teach the Gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all creation. Worship is the center of our congregational life, and e

ach week we gather as a family of faith in joyful praise to hear God's word and share in the love of Christ. Aside from worship, there are numerous other opportunities to grow in Christ and spiritual renewal. James is truly a place where Christ centered relationships joyfully come and are formed in community and fellowship together. You are always invited to join us as often as you are able. Our staff is:

Secretary: Jeane Lowman
Music Director: Ashley File
Organist: Jewell Broadway
Pastor:

05/31/2026

Sunday May 31, 2026

On this day, the church commemorates Mary's visit to Elizabeth following her encounter with the Angel Gabriel. Let us sh...
05/31/2026

On this day, the church commemorates Mary's visit to Elizabeth following her encounter with the Angel Gabriel.

Let us share in the same joy Mary shared with Elizabeth as we pray,

Mighty God, by whose grace Elizabeth rejoiced with Mary and greeted her as the mother of the Lord: look with favor on your lowly servants that, with Mary, we may magnify your holy name and rejoice to acclaim her Son as our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

05/27/2026

Announcements:

As we near the summer season, the congregation will shift towards a narrative lectionary beginning June 7. Throughout the summer months, the Old Testament lessons will focus on Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God made a covenant with them. The summer then continues with the family of Abraham moving into Egypt, setting the events of Exodus in motion. The stories shift from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land as God delivers the Ten Commandments to the people of Israel.

Pastor Thomas will be gone June 8-12. Call the church office for any pastoral care emergencies.

Holy Trinity Sunday is the First Sunday after Pentecost. Christians profess that God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit...
05/27/2026

Holy Trinity Sunday is the First Sunday after Pentecost. Christians profess that God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, which Christians have sought to explain over the centuries. The Trinity is best understood as a mystery and not something to fully explain but experience.

For this Sunday's texts (Genesis 1-2:4a; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; and Matthew 28:16-20), the first humans and the church receive the Great Commissions. Matthew 28:16-20 is often thought as the Great Commission, and that is correct, though when God formed the world and created humanity in His image, he gives the first humans a command: "Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the earth" (Genesis 1:28), and then Jesus instructs the disciples (the church) to "Go, therefore, making disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19).

What does this mean? We are witnesses in the world, not simply bystanders, but active participants in God's world, which he called good. It's living as the church in the world by what we say and by what we do. Evangelism is not only talking about your faith, rather, it is also how you live out your faith.

The Holy Gospel According to Saint Matthew, the 28th Chapter.

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Reflection: What does it mean for God to call his creation "very good?" Why do the disciples both doubt and worship Jesus? Had doubt played a role in your faith formation?

Matthew book-ends his Gospel with the promise that God is always with us. From the very beginning, Matthew calls Jesus, Emmanuel, which is what the angel told Joseph. Then, Jesus affirms that mantle to his disciples and us that he will be with us until the end of time.

Let us pray

Almighty Creator and ever-living God: we worship your glory, eternal Three-in-One, and we praise your power, majestic One-in-Three. Keep us steadfast in this faith, defend us in all adversity, and bring us at last into your presence, where you live in endless joy and love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

*The second image is one way of explaining the Holy Trinity.

Today is Memorial Day. Let us pray: Almighty God, you are our strength and our shield. We give you thanks for the member...
05/25/2026

Today is Memorial Day. Let us pray: Almighty God, you are our strength and our shield. We give you thanks for the members of our armed forces past and present, and especially for those who have died while serving. May their sacrifices serve the cause of peace, and may our nation be ever grateful for their service. With your wisdom and strength guide our military’s leaders and give to all people a desire for justice and peace. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Prayer for Memorial Day, Sundays and Seasons)

05/24/2026

Sunday May 24, 2026

In some Christian traditions, the Vigil (night before) Pentecost is celebrated. Pentecost is the culmination of the East...
05/23/2026

In some Christian traditions, the Vigil (night before) Pentecost is celebrated. Pentecost is the culmination of the Easter Season before Ordinary time begins.

A reading from Exodus

1 On the third new moon after the Israelites had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day, they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 They journeyed from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; Israel camped there in front of the mountain. 3 Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the Israelites: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now, therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, 6 but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites.”
7 So Moses went, summoned the elders of the people, and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 The people all answered as one, “Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do.” Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord. 9 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, in order that the people may hear when I speak with you and so trust you ever after.”

A reading from Psalm 130

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2 Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.

A reading from Romans

4 All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if we in fact suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning together as it suffers together the pains of labor, 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what one already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches hearts, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

The Holy Gospel According to St. John, the Seventh Chapter.

37 On the last day of the festival [of Booths], the great day, while Jesus was standing [in the temple,] he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, 38 and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’ ” 39 Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive, for as yet there was no Spirit because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Let us pray

Almighty and ever-living God, you fulfilled the promise of Easter by sending the gift of your Holy Spirit. Look upon your people gathered in prayer, open to receive the Spirit’s flame. May it come to rest in our hearts and heal the divisions of word and tongue, that with one voice and one song we may praise your name in joy and thanksgiving; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

05/22/2026

Announcements for Sunday, May 24, 2026

Happy Pentecost!

The church office will be closed on Monday for Memorial Day.

Adult Education will be in the Fellowship Hall at 9:30am on both May 24 and May 31. Adult Education will not meet for the summer and resume in the fall. On May 24, Pastor Thomas will unpack the different types of lectionaries offered in the summer time. On May 31, he will dive into some of the stories we will hear from the Old Testament during the summer, and also provide tips for diving into the Bible in the summer.

St. James Youth will have a summer break gathering at SnoBiz at 6:00pm. Stay tuned for weather updates.

Pastor Thomas will be at North Carolina Synod Gathering from May 28-May 30. Call the church office in the event of pastoral emergency.

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, which occurs 50 days after Easter. It is also the birthday of the church. We re-hear th...
05/20/2026

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, which occurs 50 days after Easter. It is also the birthday of the church. We re-hear the stories of the Holy Spirit descending on the disciples and the people gathered in Jerusalem, coming in as a violent wind.

The color of the day is red. Red symbolizes fire, rebirth, renewal, and it also symbolizes the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Disciples.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus appears to his disciples, who were camping out in the place they were because they were afraid of the Jews aligned with Herod and the Romans hunting them down. Jesus appears and tells them, "Peace be with you." He first mentions the passing of his peace during his final conversation before his arrest.

Reflection: In a world of chaos and fear, how do you encounter God's peace?

In both the Greek and Hebrew, Spirit is associated with breath, wind, and life. The Holy Spirit, in Genesis 1 (which is next week's Old Testament lesson) hovers over the water, and then God speaks everything into existence. The Holy Spirit is the one who gives us life and strengthens our faith.

The Holy Gospel According to Saint John, the 20th Chapter.

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Let us Pray

God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, as you sent upon the disciples the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, look upon your Church and open our hearts to the power of the Spirit. Kindle in us the fire of your love, and strengthen our lives for service in your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen

Join us Sunday at 10:30am! Don't forget to wear red!

05/14/2026

Ascension Day occurs exactly 40 days after Easter Sunday. On this day, we hear the story from Luke about the ascension of Jesus. Luke tells the Ascension story twice (Luke 24:44-53 and Acts 1:1-11). In both stories, he tells the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until the time comes (Pentecost).

A reading from Acts

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”

6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

The Holy Gospel According to Saint Luke, the 24th Chapter.

44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Reflection: How are you a witness for Christ?

Let us pray

Almighty God, your only Son was taken into the heavens and in your presence intercedes for us. Receive us and our prayers for all the world, and in the end bring everything into your glory, through Jesus Christ, our Sovereign and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Address

131 W Main Street
Rockwell, NC
28138

Telephone

+17042793150

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